Geauga County, renowned for its lush beech-maple climax forest, proudly holds the title of the leading county in Ohio for maple syrup production. Growing up in this picturesque region, I have fond memories of sugaring season, which would culminate each year in the highly anticipated Maple Festival in Chardon, Ohio. March has traditionally marked the peak of this sweet season, so I was taken aback when a friend revealed that he had been tapping trees as early as February for the past 14 years. While I had noticed that the sugaring season had been creeping earlier due to climate change, I was unaware that this trend had been ongoing for so long. In fact, recent years have seen such significant warming that sugaring operations in Geauga County are often wrapped up by mid-March.
Sap: The Essence of Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is derived from the sap of maple trees. While the sugar maple is known for having the highest sugar concentration in its sap, red maples are also tapped, albeit with a shorter season due to their early budding. Every tree species produces sap, and they possess intricate vascular systems comprised of xylem and phloem that facilitate the effective transport of this vital liquid throughout the tree.
Xylem consists of dead, waterproof tissue responsible for channeling water from the roots to the rest of the tree. This early sap contains minerals from the soil and sugars that have been synthesized or stored within the root system throughout the winter months. In contrast, phloem is composed of living tissue and transports food and nutrients, such as sugars and proteins produced during photosynthesis, to various parts of the plant. Together, xylem and phloem function similarly to blood vessels in animals, creating a complex network that not only supplies essential resources but also aids in the disposal of waste products.
The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker: Nature’s Sap Connoisseur
It is no surprise that humans are not the only benefactors of tree sap; numerous wildlife species rely on it for sustenance. However, only one species bears its name—the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). This medium-sized woodpecker is characterized by a striking appearance, featuring boldly patterned black and white plumage on its back, complemented by a vertical white stripe along the front edge of its folded wings. Both sexes showcase a black and white face adorned with a crimson cap, while males boast a vibrant ruby throat. The sapsuckers often raise their crown feathers into a peak at the back of their head and display a prominent black chest band, with their yellow belly being somewhat elusive to view.
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers breed across much of Canada and the northeastern United States, beginning their southward migrations in September. Some individuals travel only modest distances, while others venture as far south as Central America, where they inhabit both hardwood and evergreen forests. Their diet consists of various small arthropods, fruits, nuts, and suet, but it is their particular affinity for sap that has earned them their distinctive name.
As spring approaches, yellow-bellied sapsuckers tap into the bark of trees. They have been documented utilizing over 200 different species, with a preference for those high in sugar content, such as maples, birches, and hickories. By positioning their stiff tails against the trunks for support, these birds employ their robust, straight beaks to adeptly drill into the xylem, capturing the sugary sap as it ascends from the roots. This process creates a series of horizontal rows of perfectly spaced circular holes, resembling a work of art.
As the sap begins to spill from these wells, the birds temporarily leave, allowing small insects to be drawn to the sweet liquid, some even becoming ensnared in the sticky sap. Upon returning, sapsuckers use their long, specialized tongues—equipped with a brush-like appendage near the tip—to efficiently lap up both the sap and the trapped insects.
As the trees begin to leaf out, sapsuckers create new holes by drilling into the phloem, which transports sugars and other nutrients from the leaves. These phloem holes are larger, shallower, and more rectangular in shape, often appearing in vertical rows. Since the phloem is living tissue, it continuously repairs itself, similar to how a scab forms on a wound. Consequently, sapsuckers must stay close to their work, frequently redrilling their tap holes to maintain sap flow and prevent closure.
The wells created by sapsuckers become vital food sources for a wide array of wildlife. Early-emerging moths and butterfly species, such as mourning cloaks, question marks, duskywings, and commas can be seen resting on the bark near the holes, indulging in the life-sustaining liquid. Squirrels, including red squirrels and flying squirrels, also appreciate this accessible meal.
Numerous bird species are observed feeding at the holes, including nuthatches, chickadees, kinglets, warblers, and waxwings. However, it is the ruby-throated hummingbird that often relies on the sapsucker’s work for its survival. Frequently arriving at breeding grounds before flowers bloom, hummingbirds seek out sapsucker holes, often following the birds through the forest to locate the sweet sap. This dependence on sapsucker wells explains why these birds expend considerable energy defending their territories from other species.
One particular bitternut hickory tree in a local park has become my annual destination to observe the industrious sapsuckers at work. This tree has served as a foraging spot for many years, as evidenced by the multiple layers of scar tissue resulting from the tree’s attempts to heal. Each spring, I find joy in watching the yellow-bellied sapsuckers skillfully using their long tongues to extract the sap that has ensnared unsuspecting insects. If I had my way, I might even be tempted to rename this unique woodpecker to the more fitting title of “yellow-bellied sap-lapper!”
